How to start an Islamic podcast.

There are thousands of Muslim podcasts, but very few that are consistent, well produced and clear about who they are for. That is the gap. This guide walks through everything from your intention to your first three episodes, based on eight years of producing more than 100 podcasts.

1. Start with your niyyah and your "why"

Write one sentence on why this podcast should exist and who it helps. "A weekly conversation for young Muslim professionals in the UK about faith at work" is a podcast. "Islamic content" is not. A clear purpose keeps the intention sincere and makes every later decision easier.

2. Pick a narrow audience

The more specific the listener, the faster the show grows. Reverts in their first year, Muslim parents of teenagers, students of Arabic, Muslim founders: each is big enough to build a show for and small enough to reach.

3. Choose a format you can keep up

4. Stay within your knowledge

If the show teaches rulings, have a qualified scholar teach or check that part, and cite your sources. Many of the best Islamic podcasts are hosted by non-scholars who interview scholars and share their own experience, and say so openly. Put references on screen in the video version and in the show notes.

5. Name and artwork

Choose a name that says what the show is about in two to four words, check that the YouTube handle, Instagram handle and domain are free, and make square cover art that is readable at thumbnail size. Our channel name guide has ideas by theme.

6. Equipment: what you actually need

• Microphone: a dynamic mic with both USB and XLR outputs is the best first purchase. Dynamic mics pick up less room noise than condenser mics, which matters in ordinary rooms.
• Headphones: any closed-back pair, so you can hear problems while recording.
• Camera: a recent phone is enough to start. Lock exposure and focus, and film in landscape for YouTube.
• Room: soft furnishings, curtains and a rug do more for sound than an expensive mic.
• Remote guests: use a recording platform that records each person locally, so internet glitches don't ruin the audio.

7. Record with the edit in mind

Record ten seconds of room silence at the start. Keep a glass of water off-mic. If someone stumbles, pause and repeat the sentence rather than carrying on. Note timestamps of strong moments as you go: they become your clips.

8. Edit to Shariah-compliant standards

• No music: use voice, natural sound and clean sound design. See our halal background audio guide.
• Every ayah and hadith referenced, on screen and in the notes.
• Modest thumbnails and honest titles that say what the episode says.
• Cut backbiting and anything you wouldn't want attributed to you.

9. Publish everywhere from one recording

Upload the full video to YouTube, where podcasts are now heavily watched, and the audio to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and others through a podcast host. Write show notes with timestamps, links and references. Then cut three to five vertical clips per episode for Shorts, Reels and TikTok.

10. Launch and grow

1. Publish a short trailer and three full episodes on launch day, so new listeners can binge.
2. Pick a schedule you can keep for a year, weekly or fortnightly, and never miss it.
3. Give every guest their clips so they share the episode with their audience.
4. Appear as a guest on other Muslim podcasts.
5. Look at retention in YouTube Studio after every episode and fix the first minute first.

Halal ways to fund the show

Listener support, sponsorships from halal businesses, and the show's own products or courses are all common. Turn down sponsors for anything impermissible, and say clearly when a segment is sponsored.

FAQ